Rob Smith says the chance to become AFC Telford United's manager was simply too good an opportunity to resist.

Smith has quit Willenhall Town to succeed Bernard McNally at the UniBond Premier club. Larry Chambers, Smith's No 2 at

Redditch United and Willenhall, will also follow him down the M54.

Though Willenhall are pushing for promotion in the Southern One West and the Bucks have slid into the drop zone, Smith describes the manager's post at the Bucks Head as one of the biggest in Midlands non-League.

"I have had four-and-a-half wonderful years at Willenhall and in some ways it's heart-breaking to leave," he said. "But being manager of Telford is too good a job to turn down.

"We've had great success at Willenhall and hopefully we can have the same success at Telford. But the first target is to get away from the relegation zone as quickly as possible."

Smith and Chambers, who met the players for the first time last night, take charge for tomorrow's fixture at Blyth Spartans.

Smith expects to sign striker Gary Hay from Willenhall while defender Indy Khela is also being lined up for a similar switch.

Meanwhile, Paul Danks has undergone surgery to ensure he is fully fit for Willenhall's title run-in.

The front-runner, who has been troubled with a hernia problem all season, had been prepared to postpone any surgery until the summer.

But, having had a double hernia operation last week, he is expected to be ready to return within three weeks.